Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 3, Charleston Battery 1

By Sean Steimel, 08/27/14, 9:30AM PDT

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Rodrigo Lopez scores a first half brace and Steven Evans adds a late score in Sacramento Republic FC’s 3-1 victory over the Charleston Battery. With the win Republic FC moves into second place in the USL PRO Standings.

Republic FC grabbed an early lead over the visiting Charleston Battery in the 12th minute when defender Emrah Klimenta took the ball with speed up the right wing and sent a cross on the ground directed to Adam Jahn just outside the box. Jahn faked a shot allowing the ball to roll to Octavio Guzman who found Jahn making a run behind the defense. Jahn then sent the ball back across the face of goal for Guzman who put the ball on net, only to have it deflected out. Republic FC midfielder Rodrigo Lopez was in perfect position and he sent a side-volley screamer just inside the far post and into the side netting for a 1-0 lead.

The lead would not last long as Charleston would tie the match in the 16th minute. Midfielder Jose Cuevas sent a free kick into the box from 25 yards out and the ball found defender Colin Falvey unmarked who headed it past Republic FC keeper Jake Gleeson to tie the score 1-1.

Lopez tacked on his second goal of of the half in the 25th minute. Lopez sent a confident strike from 20 yards out past a stationary Cooper and into the corner of the net for a 2-1 lead for Republic FC that would hold into halftime. The goal marked the 7th time Lopez has scored at Bonney Field and his third brace of the year.

Republic FC controlled the ball again in the second half and would put the game away in the 82nd minute when second-half substitute Dakota Collins attacked up the right flank. Collins sent a cross on the ground directed at forward Jahn who came up with his second brilliant fake of the match. The ball rolled directly to the right foot of Steven Evans who put the shot past Cooper for his 1st goal in USL PRO play and secured a 3-1 victory for Republic FC.

“It was important game for both teams and we had to make sure that we dug deep,” said Republic FC Head Coach Preki after the victory. “It was a real team effort. But there is a lot of soccer to be played.”

With the victory Republic FC moved two points clear of the Richmond Kickers and into second place in the USL PRO Standings. Republic FC will travel to Wilmington, North Carolina to take on the Wilmington Hammerheads on Saturday, August 30. The match is scheduled to kickoff at 4:30 p.m. PST. The match will be streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday and updates will also be available on Twitter @SacRepublicFC and using #WILMvSRFC.